ZIM – Individual R&D project
ZIM – Einzelprojekt (FuE-Projekt eines Unternehmens)
Paused by the funder
Application stop in force since 7 July 2026, 12:00. BMWE states that lifting the suspension is targeted for early 2027 ('Anfang 2027'), subject to funds being available in the 2027 federal budget.
Grant as a percentage of eligible project costs; the rate depends on company size, location and cooperation form. Exact rates set out in the ZIM directive.
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE)
public · national
Deadline: closed — Befristeter Antragsstopp: no new applications or project outlines accepted since 7 July 2026, 12:00.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Major bid — written case, budget, possibly partners.
Who can apply
- Up to 499 employees
- Sectors: any, manufacturing, deeptech
- Stage: pre_seed, seed, series_a, growth
- R&D activity required
- Locally registered entity required
SMEs with fewer than 500 employees (and affiliated turnover/balance-sheet limits) with an establishment in Germany. Technology- and sector-open.
How to apply
- Check eligibility and prepare the R&D project description (once applications reopen). — link
- Register and submit via the ZIM online portal (easy-Online / ZIM portal). — link
- Technical and economic assessment by the ZIM project management agency.
- Grant decision (Zuwendungsbescheid) before project start.
What you will need
- Project description (R&D content, work plan, exploitation plan)
- Company data / SME self-declaration
- Cost and financing plan
- Cooperation agreement (if applicable)
Source. https://www.zim.de/ZIM/Redaktion/DE/Meldungen/2026/3/2026-07-07-befristeter-antragsstopp.html — checked 2026-08-14
"Eine Aufhebung der Aussetzung der Antragsannahme wird für Anfang 2027 angestrebt"